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Oregon Trivia: Oregon Movies

Source Note
Most of the following information is derived from the Internet Movie Database. The Oregon Blue Book does not attempt to verify the accuracy of this information.

Actor Jack Webb, of Dragnet fame on TV, was the first choice to play the fiendish Dean Wormer in the 1978 Oregon film "Animal House." The part eventually went to John Vernon. Oregon actress Kim Novak was offered the role of his wife.

After languishing in a Mexican amusement park, Keiko the killer whale made it big in movies by starring in three "Free Willy" movies. He later lived at the Oregon Coast Aquarium where he enjoyed celebrity status.

Jack Nicholson ad-libbed the line "Here's Johnny!" in "The Shining," which was partially filmed at Timberline Lodge. He imitated announcer Ed McMahon's famous introduction of Johnny Carson's long-running late night television program.

Will Sampson, who played Chief in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," was a park ranger in Oregon near where the movie was filmed. He was tapped for the part because he was the only Native American that casting could find who matched the character's giant stature.

The movie "Swordfish," a portion of which was filmed around Redmond, was withdrawn from theaters shortly after the 9/11/2001 terrorist attacks on the United States because one scene involved an exploding building.

The 1969 Baker County area musical "Paint Your Wagon" reportedly inspired star Clint Eastwood to start his own production company to have more control over film budgets and schedules. The film was notoriously over budget even though it used "hippies" as extras.

Bill Murray was originally offered the role played by Arnold Schwartzenegger in "Kindergarten Cop." In an even stranger casting twist, Danny DeVito was also considered for the part. The movie was filmed around Astoria.

The 1970 Jack Nicholson film "Five Easy Pieces" was partially filmed in Portland and featured Portland native Sally Struthers (second from left), also known for playing daughter Gloria in TV's "All in the Family."

Actress Raquel Welch did most of her own stunts in the 1972 roller derby movie "Kansas City Bomber," which was filmed around Portland. Welch broke her wrist while rehearsing for the role.

Actress and dancer Ginger Rogers teamed with Fred Astaire to form what could be the greatest dance duo ever while making ten box-office hit musicals. She enjoyed time spent at her ranch near Eagle Point for over 50 years before her death in 1995.

Oops! When Will (actor Matt Damon-above right with Robin Williams) is mopping the floor at the beginning of the movie "Good Will Hunting," his name tag identifies him as "Bob" rather than "Will." The film was directed by Notable Oregonian Gus Van Sant.

The famous river jump scene in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" was shot on the wild and scenic Rogue River near Grants Pass. Also, many of the river scenes for the movie "The River Wild" were filmed on the same location.